As the Green Bay Packers enter the 2024 offseason, they face decisions on 17 players with expiring contracts, including 12 unrestricted free agents. Among them is linebacker Eric Wilson, a key contributor to the special teams unit and a reliable depth option on defense. The Packers now have to weigh the benefits of re-signing Wilson against the potential advantages of moving on and seeking younger talent.
### **Why the Packers Might Re-sign Eric Wilson**
Eric Wilson’s value to the Packers largely stems from his role on special teams and as a dependable depth player at linebacker. In the 2023 season, Wilson led the team with 345 special teams snaps and recorded the second-highest number of tackles on the unit. His performance was strong enough to earn a solid Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade, ranking him 34th out of 188 eligible players on special teams.
The Packers’ current linebacker situation also supports the case for re-signing Wilson. With De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, and Isaiah McDuffie as the primary linebackers, Wilson offers experienced depth. Campbell’s future with the team is uncertain due to his cap hit, which could lead to his release to save $2.6 million. If this happens, Wilson’s experience—having played 2,293 career defensive snaps, including 144 in 2023—could be invaluable in providing depth, particularly in passing situations where he was utilized during the past season.
Another reason the Packers might re-sign Wilson is the low financial commitment involved. A short-term, low-cost deal similar to his 2023 contract, which was worth just over $1 million with minimal guarantees, would allow the Packers to retain a valuable special teams player without affecting their salary cap or draft strategy significantly. This type of contract also gives the team flexibility to move on if Wilson doesn’t make the final roster.
### **Why the Packers Might Move on from Eric Wilson**
On the other hand, the Packers could decide to pursue younger, higher-upside players in the draft or free agency to fill Wilson’s role. Despite his experience, Wilson has limitations on defense, where he allowed 15 completions on 15 targets in 2023, albeit with solid tackling that limited yards after catch. Given that Wilson is likely to be the fourth or fifth linebacker on the depth chart, the Packers, who prioritize developing young talent, might opt to use his roster spot on a player with greater potential for growth.
Additionally, while Wilson was a core special teams contributor, the Packers’ overall performance in this phase of the game was lacking, as they ranked 29th in Rick Gosselin’s annual special teams rankings. This underperformance might prompt the Packers to explore other options in hopes of improving their special teams unit.
### **Prediction: Packers Re-sign Eric Wilson**
Despite the potential benefits of moving on, the prediction here is that the Packers will re-sign Eric Wilson. The need for linebacker depth and his proven ability on special teams, combined with the minimal financial risk involved, makes retaining Wilson a pragmatic choice. Re-signing him would provide stability in the linebacker room heading into the draft while keeping one of their most consistent special teams players.
Ultimately, a deal similar to Wilson’s 2023 contract would allow the Packers to maintain flexibility. They could re-sign Wilson without altering their approach to the linebacker position in free agency or the draft, and still have the option to move on if they find a better alternative before the season begins.